About Osteoarthritis of Elbow
Key Highlights
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Specialized care focused on the unique anatomy and growth plates of a child's elbow.Conservative-first approach to preserve joint function and development.Advanced surgical techniques, including arthroscopy, for minimal tissue disruption.Multidisciplinary team approach involving pediatric orthopedists, physiotherapists, and pain specialists.Goal-oriented treatment plan to restore mobility and enable a return to sports and daily activities.
Who is this surgery for?
- Persistent elbow pain and stiffness in a child or adolescent unresponsive to rest and medication.
- Diagnosis of primary or post-traumatic osteoarthritis confirmed via X-ray or MRI.
- Significant loss of range of motion impacting daily activities, schoolwork, or sports.
- Presence of locking, catching, or instability in the elbow joint.
- Progressive joint deformity or evidence of advanced cartilage loss on imaging.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive diagnostic workup including detailed medical history, physical exam, X-rays, and often an MRI.
- Pre-operative counseling with the child and parents to discuss goals, risks, and the recovery process.
- Pre-anesthesia check-up to ensure fitness for surgery.
- Discontinuation of certain medications (e.g., NSAIDs, blood thinners) as advised by the surgeon.
- Fasting for 6-8 hours prior to the scheduled procedure if surgery is planned.
Risks & possible complications
- General surgical risks: Infection, bleeding, or adverse reaction to anesthesia.
- Nerve or blood vessel injury around the elbow, potentially causing numbness or weakness.
- Stiffness, incomplete pain relief, or recurrence of symptoms.
- Heterotopic ossification (abnormal bone growth in soft tissues).
- In very rare cases, damage to growth plates affecting future bone development.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial immobilization in a splint or brace to protect the surgical site, followed by guided mobilization.
- Strict adherence to a structured physical therapy program to regain strength and range of motion.
- Pain management with prescribed medications and ice therapy.
- Gradual return to light activities, with contact sports restricted for several months.
- Regular follow-up appointments to monitor healing, progress in therapy, and joint development.
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Typical hospital stay: 1-3 days
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Expected recovery time: 6 weeks to 6 months
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering osteoarthritis of elbow in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with pediatric orthopedics departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform osteoarthritis of elbow. MediFyr helps you compare pediatric orthopedics and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for osteoarthritis of elbow compare across other countries where we have data.
Sneha Das is a 14-year-old competitive...
Sneha Das is a 14-year-old competitive table tennis player from Kolkata, India. She has been training intensively since age 8 and dreams of representing her state. For the past year, Sneha has experienced a persistent, dull ache in her right (dominant) elbow that worsens during and after practice. It progressed to stiffness in the morning and a worrying 'catching' sensation during her powerful forehand loops. An MRI confirmed early-stage osteoarthritis, likely due to repetitive stress. Her pediatric orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Rao, recommended arthroscopic debridement, a minimally invasive 'clean-up' procedure to remove loose cartilage fragments and smooth the joint surfaces. Sneha was terrified the surgery would end her career. The procedure was outpatient. Under anesthesia, Dr. Rao made two small incisions, using a camera and tiny instruments to address the damage. The physical reality was a sling for a week and a strict, gradual rehab protocol. The emotional journey was harder. For three months, she watched her teammates practice while she did tedious exercises. However, by month six, the catching sensation was gone, and her pain was significantly reduced. She returned to modified training at eight months. While she must now manage her training load carefully, she is back on the court, pain-free, and filled with a profound gratitude for her body's resilience and a more mature perspective on balancing passion with health.
Pediatric Orthopedics for Osteoarthritis of Elbow
Explore experienced pediatric orthopedics who regularly perform osteoarthritis of elbow and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 14 Years Experience
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad, Ghaziabad
- 23 Years Experience
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata